Last Chance

24.

"Good afternoon sleepyhead." Zoey chuckled when she saw Sam. Sam came out into the yard where Josh, Ginnifer, and Zoey were sitting at the table. Oliver and Hugo were playing in the garden. 'Good afternoon.' Quietly, Sam sat down next to Ginnifer at the table.

"Shall I make you some food?" Ginnifer asked sweetly. "Um, no, you don't have to. First I want to apologize to all three of you. I'm sorry. I should never have run away. I thought everything would be better if I went back to my mother but I was wrong on my own. I'm sorry I only saw you yesterday So...' Sam said softly.

'Don't you know how selfish it was of you? You have no idea how worried I was.' Zoey jumped up from her chair angrily. Something snapped inside her. 'Sorry. Really and truly.' Sam bit her lip. "Zoey, come sit down for a minute." Josh tried to calm Zoey down and the girl sat down again.

"It's all right, Sam, but don't ever do this again. We were shocked when Oliver called.' said Ginnifer. "Oliver?" Startled, Sam looked at Josh and Ginnifer. 'Yes.. Oliver had woken up and called us. Zoey was sleeping on the floor in the living room.' Ginnifer told. Sam looked at her sister. "I'm so sorry. So..." she said. "It's all right." muttered Zoey.

'Let's agree from now on that if there is something we discuss it with each other. No more sneaky stuff. Agreed to meet?' Josh looked at the girls. "Yes Josh." They nodded. 'Beautiful. Then we can move on to the next topic.' Josh looked at Ginnifer.

"Yes.. tomorrow is your first day of school." Ginnifer started. 'First schoolday?' Sam and Zoey shouted in unison at the same time. Ginnifer nodded. There is a very nice school in the area where you end up. Tomorrow is your first day.' Ginnifer told. 'What about our old school? Is that possible?' asked Sam. 'You can hardly travel two hours to your old school. It's all settled. Your first lesson starts tomorrow at half past eight.'

"But we don't even have any books." said Sam. "They work with the same teaching method as at your old school so you can just use your old books." said Ginnifer. "And do we meet in class?" asked Zoey. Josh shook his head. "Probably not, but you'll all hear that tomorrow. Don't worry about it.'

"I'll go and get my stuff for tomorrow then." Zoey got up from her chair and she walked upstairs. Josh, Ginnifer and Sam watched the girl. "Are you okay with Zoey?" asked Sam. Josh and Ginnifer looked at each other briefly. 'Leave her for a while. She is tired.' Ginnifer smiled. "Why did she run away anyway?" Sam asked Josh.

'Just the shock. So much happened last night that Zoey lost it all for a while. Leave it alone for a while.' Josh finally answered. Sam frowned. "It's all my fault isn't it?" She looked at Ginnifer and Josh. 'No of course not! Zoey's just really sensitive.' Ginnifer said quickly. 'Tell me something. Uhm can I have some breakfast now? I'm hungry now anyway.' said Sam. I'm going to get you something to eat.' Ginnifer smiled and went to the kitchen.

Meanwhile, Josh had walked upstairs and knocked on Zoey's room door. 'Go away.' Sounded Zoey's voice. Josh sighed and he opened the door. Zoey was sitting on the floor of her room, leaning her back against the bed. She looked gloomily ahead of her.

"Hey." Josh closed the door behind him and sat down next to Zoey. Zoey stared ahead of her. "Are you okay?" asked Josh. "Tomorrow I have to go to a new school, make new friends, another class." Zoey's voice trembled. "I get that it's exciting, but after this you don't have to change schools for the time being." Josh replied. "Josh, I don't dare." said Zoey. Zoey said it out loud before thinking about it. "I understand you're worried. So and maybe we should go get some help." Josh began cautiously.

'Staff? There's nothing wrong with me.' Zoey immediately defended herself. "No, I don't mean that either, but maybe it's good to talk to someone. About everything you've been through in the past.' said Josh. He looked carefully at Zoey. "Josh, I'm not interested in that. I'm doing really well. I'm just a little nervous about going to school.'

'Are you sure?' asked Josh. Zoey nodded. "If you don't mind, I'm going to watch an episode of Once Upon A time now." said Zoey. Josh smiled. 'Which is good. I'll see you soon.' He kissed Zoey's head and then he went downstairs.